The Promise

36) Aurora

It's 4:30 when I wake up. I rub my eyes as I assess my surroundings, my room, and my nightwear; I don't know how I got here, but last, I remember is that I was in his car and I was in his embrace, fuck.

My mind drifts to what happened between us yesterday, I was a complete mess and I shouldn't have been this reckless; kissing someone was on a level and this someone being my boss is another level.

I sigh, I work out at 6, but he leaves the house at that time too so, I get ready and leave the house early. I can't meet him this early, I'm already meeting with him anyway today.

Do I want to see him? Yes. Will I be brave enough to encounter him? No. My mental state screams only one thing: This shouldn't have happened.

I always felt that he'll hurt me, but after yesterday and his reactions to everything; I'm not sure if he's the one who'll hurt me and I can't do that. He already helped me a lot, this can't be my payback.

I go home, change, and head for the office to grab some papers then, I'll head for the meeting room. We have an important one and I'll be the presenter next week so I have to be ready.

I look for the papers, grab them, and as I head for the door; it opens and I bump right into a wall. I try to avoid the eyes of the wall, the wall steadies me so I won't fall, "Are you okay, dove?", yes, my wall is talking and yes, I am still avoiding his eyes.

My breath catches as he lifts my chin to look at him, everything comes back when I look into his eyes. He searches mine and I lower my gaze nodding, "Yes, I am".

I try to free from his grasp to head outside, but he wraps his arms around my middle instead urging me to stay in place, "Are we playing the avoidance games, dove?" he murmurs.

"I don't know what are you talking about," I say avoiding his gaze.

He smirks and lowers his head to whisper in my ears sending goosebumps alongside my body, "If you want games then let's play, my dove".

I free myself from his grasp nervously, "We have a meeting" I say and head outside.

I don't know what's wrong with this meeting room, whenever I sit in it, my number one wish is to disappear, but this time is because the manager is not taking his eyes off of me from across the table and he does not act discreetly about it.

I try my best to avoid his intense stare, but I feel it heating my whole body. I look up and catch him still staring and when I do; he smirks.

We finish the screwed meeting and I head outside, why screwed? Because I didn't understand a word.

I head to the cafeteria for the break, "Give me the biggest cup of coffee, Johnny" I tell the bartender as he smiles, "Bad day, Ro?", "Very" I answer as he gives me the cup and I sit alone on a table in the corner, lift my legs on the table cause why not? and escape through my book till the break ends.

The chair next to me shifts and Dionne slumps against it resting her head on my legs on the table, "Aww, sweetie, are you tired?" I use her nickname against her and she lifts her head and glares playfully then lowers it again.

"Read your book and let me enjoy my peace for a bit," she says, I laugh "What happened?", "Elio is pressuring the hell out of me and no mentor is allowing their intern to help!" she throws her hands frustrated.

"I can help him," I tell her and she rolls her eyes, "Hmm, your mentor already declined". "Well, good thing I have my head and mouth also, you know not a doll to move with threads" I mimic the movement with my hands.

"What do you mean? Girl, we don't need Mughrabi pissed" she warns and I frown remembering what happened, I don't want Dionne to be clueless, but I still can't trust her reaction and whether she'll judge or not.

"Are you okay, Ro?", "Yes, I'll do it, I'll tutor Elio".

"No, seriously, I asked Mughrabi before he said no",

"Yes, exactly. I'm a whole other human you know. Is it against the policy?" "No".

"Is it wrong?" "No" "Then, I'll do it.".

"But you have a lot up your sleeve already; work, dance classes, presentations and events also, the bookstore and your workout, your studies as well. No, this is a bad idea".

"I can handle it; I can tutor him in my shift at the bookstore"

She looks up at me with hope, "But Mughrabi- "I told you; Dionne I have my own decisions and everybody should respect that".

She nods then hugs me tightly, "I don't know how to thank you. Wait! Do you like ice cream?"

I smile, "Of course!"

"Then let me treat you, my sweetie pie," she says reaching for my hand as we go outside.

We stroll together through the streets till we reach an empty one and sit on a deck to eat our ice cream.

She looks at me thoughtfully then says, "Ro, do you feel okay around me?"

I frown then add, "Of course, Di. Why would you say that?"

"I was just wondering. I mean let me tell you." She says as she raises her legs crossing it between us.

"When you came from your country, you were pretty distant and you know not there. I felt you needed time, and then you became better, but why do I feel like there's always something behind the smiling yet tough exterior?"

"Wow, you're a great observer, Di" I raise my legs crossing them too as I sigh, "Look, Di; I always had a tough life. I was in a pretty uncomfortable household back then and my whole existence here is an escape in the first place" she raises her brows at my words so, I carry on.

"My friends I told you about; they made me apply for the scholarship because there's no other way, but education that'll get me away" I look down and then say, "It wasn't a good enough reason anyways".

"Why?",

"Because they didn't accept and I had to run away at dawn like thieves; for my own freedom" She opens her mouth shocked, but her face is full of awe.

"People's exteriors are just masks, Di. We choose our mask according to the person or situation and in the process of switching between them and wearing them all the time, you forget what was the reality beneath. So, it takes a lot of work to get to know who was there in the first place and you know this can be harder than getting to know new people."

"You're right. I get what you're saying. I appreciate it too, now I get it; you have the full right to dislike getting close to someone."

I smile, "There's a lot that you don't know, Di"

"I'm sure of that, but I can't wait to discover all your treasures, my friend" I smile at her and lean my head on her shoulder as she rests her head on top of mine.

I finish my day without any other incidents or encountering him again, thank God. I'm on my way outside the building and I gasp when I feel two pairs of hands wrap around me snatching me in the nearby corridor and backing me up against the wall.

"Omer, what are you doing?" I freaked out looking around us, but the place was totally empty.

He traps me with his body against the wall as the smell of his cologne fills my nose, he smirks like in the morning, "I forgot something with you" he says, voice gruff.

"What is it?" I rush out as his dips his head and plants his soft lips on my cheek placing a kiss. I gasp and push at his chest as he frees me and I rush for the exit as I hear his deep masculine laugh fill the corridor, I freeze at the sound and look back to see him leaning against the wall arms crossed grinning?!

I widen my eyes spinning around again and out of the company.

What have I fucking done to myself!